My morning ritual

Let me start by prefacing this one with some transparency.

In the online world it’s so easy to present a perfect facade, but I think it’s so important to keep it real and honest.

This is currently not my ‘on the daily’ daily routine, this is my ‘when I can make it happen’ daily routine. I find that even if I can make time for one of these items, it makes a big difference to my day. But if I can get through everything on the list, I’m unstoppable!

Balancing all of the things is damn hard work.

I’m sure any business owner can relate!

Being your own boss is one of the hardest jobs you’ll ever have. It requires regular unpaid overtime. A requirement to always being on. A multitude of hats to wear.

Through all of these demands, it’s imperative to take time to keep your mind fresh, your spirits high, and your mindset right.

At the risk of sounding cliche, put your own damn mask on first.

When I’m balancing too many plates, or not taking time to fill up my cup, ideas elude me. While I find making space for a morning practice acts like a magnet for ideas.

As a creative, inspiration literally puts food on my table.

So I know taking time to make this apart of my day is beneficial in more ways than one.

Over the last few years I’ve developed my own morning ritual. It’s heavily inspired by Hal Elrod’s The Miracle Morning but has been slightly modified to incorporate other techniques I find helpful or enjoy.

It might seem like a lot at first glance, but at pinch I can get through the routine in as little as 30 minutes. If I have the time, I like to spend a little longer on each point. While on holiday I’ve been known to stretch out the whole routine to a few hours. It. Is. Glorious!

Meditation

Meditation has been scientifically proven to reduce stress and anxiety, enhance focus and concentration, and improve sleep. Who couldn’t do with a little helping hand in these areas?

I find meditating incredibly difficult. My mind does not sit still well. But I also find the days I’m having the most resistance, are the days I need it the most.

I personally prefer a guided meditation, and use the Headspace app.

Gratitude

Next up, out comes my diary.

I start my journaling practice by listing a minimum of 5 things I’m grateful for.

These could be from the day previous or my life in general. I find that once I get going I often list 10-20 points, and it’s so heart warming to take a little pause and realize how much in you life is worth celebrating.

Visualization

While I focus my affirmations + tapping on specific challenges I may be facing, I look at visualisation as more of my long term goal setting.

For example, some of the visualisations on my list at the moment are:

– a fully booked year with Seedling (which I’m on track for!)

– a trip to Canada with my husband and baby for a month in June 2020

I always write them down as I love to flick back through and see how far I’ve come.

Then, I close my eyes and take a minute to imagine myself achieving that goal. How I’d feel, what it would look like, what I’d do next, how I’d celebrate. I allow myself to go as deep into the dream as I like!

Affirmations + Tapping

Next up, affirmations. Affirmations have been used for a very long time, by some very powerful and successful people. Oprah, Tony Robbins and Connor McGregor included. So don’t just write this one off!

To affirm, is to state that something is true.

The idea behind affirmations is that when you repeat a statement out loud, as if it is already truth, you will come to believe or achieve it.

I write affirmations in my journal based on areas of struggle or goals relevant to my life in the present day. Sometimes I may carry over affirmations from the previous day, or over multiple days. Sometimes they’ll all be new. If I have a meeting with a potential client I’m nervous about, my affirmations for the day might be:

– I have so much to offer a potential client

– I deliver so much value with my work

– The work I provide helps businesses achieve growth

– My services are worth investment

To enhance the power of affirmations I combine this step with tapping, AKA Emotional Freedom Technique.

Emotional Freedom Technique is a technique that draws on various theories of alternative medicine including acupuncture and neuro-linguistic programming. It is literally tapping on various parts of the body in a specific routine.

I first learnt to tap at a workshop here on the Gold Coast, but I also love the High Vibe Honey video series by Gala Darling. Here’s an example session on tapping to Boss the Fuck Up. This will give you a good idea of what a tapping session might look like and give you an idea of the points:

Reflection

I take a few minutes to critically reflect.

I use this time to analyze a situation or interaction where I could have improved my actions or response to achieve a more positive outcome or result.

I think as adults we sometimes forget that we’re still learning too. We encourage children to think about how their actions affect others, and to apologise when neccessary. But along the way we often forget to take these steps ourselves.

In order to grow, you have to own up to the worst parts of yourself, as well as celebrate the best.

Exercise + Self development

Generally for me, this looks like a walk with my baby in the pram and a podcast or an Audiobook.

I recently discovered that you can borrow audiobooks for free, with your library card, through the Cloud Library and Borrow Box apps.

This has been such a revelation for me! Free content, right on my phone!

I typically listen to books on business, finance or self development. Drop me a line if you’d be interested in receiving a list of recommendations. I’d love to connect over a shared love of learning.

Refresh

This one is a newer addition to my routine.

I’ve recently discovered the power of getting a little bit chilly.

This is something I never thought I’d say! I don’t go as far as Wim Hof, diving into a bucket of ice, but just a small dose of cold is incredibly invigorating.

Through Winter I like to sit outside and run through the routine, before the sun comes up. While in Summer I like to end my practice with a dip in the ocean or a cold shower.

I know it seems crazy, but give it a try!

Nourish

Lastly, I take some time to consume something healthy. My go to’s are smoothies, bircher muesli or chia pudding. I find these are meals I can prep in advance to save time, but are also nutritionally dense energy bombs.

Lastly, I’ll admit, I’m a coffee fiend! Even though the cold shower ensures I feel awake and invigorated, I cannot go past a flat white to wrap it all up.

Give it a go

If you decide to dig in, let me know how you’re finding it. Shoot me a direct message over on Instagram!

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